
My husband Captain Ian Gwyn Rhys Griffith passed away on 25 January 2021 at the age of 80.
Born in North Wales in 1940, Ian was indented with Alfred Holt’s Blue Funnel Line as a midshipman working in Australia and South East Asia in 1956. He joined New Zealand Shipping Company in 1962, rising to chief officer and cadet instruction officer.
With New Zealand Shipping Company’s absorption into P&O General Cargo Division in the early 1970s, Ian continued with roles both at sea and onshore before transferring to P&O Ferries Irish Sea, with which he remained in command of several vessels until his retirement in 2000.
He was also a member of the NUMAST Welfare Fund Committee, working with the team at Mariners' Park in Wallasey.
We enjoyed his retirement, spending months in France with our three daughters and his 10 grandchildren. A kind and generous man, he will be sadly missed by us all.
Carol Griffith
More letters
Britain's WW2 government acknowledged Merchant Navy sacrifice
As you will know, this year marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day. I enclose a copy of a transmission, sent by telegraphy in May 1945, from the Admiralty to 'all ships', expressing the victory message to the Merchant Navy, from the minister of war transport.
Warm QM2 welcome for Cunard war veteran
Knowing that we would be marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day this year, I was honoured recently to welcome onboard a Merchant Navy and Cunard veteran of the Second World War.
New addition to Hull historic trail celebrates maritime education
On 27 March 2025 at 12 noon, the Old Boys of the Hull Trinity House School Association and the Hull Trinity House Brethren held a ceremony to celebrate the work of Hull Trinity House School over more than two centuries.